The Genesis Illusion

Chapter 1

"HCF departure, Transcon four two one heavy, one thousand climbing to six thousand," Copilot Kimura said, speaking into the headset microphone.

Capt. Cheryl Wolanski and First Officer David Kimura piloted the Transcon jumbo jet carrying over 300 passengers from Honolulu to Shanghai, China. Cheryl, a twenty-year veteran of commercial flights, retired as a commander in the U.S. Air Force. David was also a military pilot but begun commercial flights only two years earlier. The daily scheduled flight from Honolulu required two crews to comply with flight duration restrictions.

"Cheryl, look out my window," David said. "There's something out there."

She leaned forward, struggling due to the restraint of the mandatory takeoff seat harness. "Looks like a tiny airplane, a drone maybe," Cheryl said.

"It's not like any drone I've ever seen. It's keeping right up with us. Better report to Honolulu control." Drones occasionally interfered with commercial flights at low altitudes and David once had to take evasive action to avoid one.

"HCF departure, Transcon four two one, we are seeing what appears to be a drone about five hundred feet to starboard and tracking," David reported in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Transcon four two one, come again," the air controller questioned.

"A drone is flying on our wing," David replied. "Altitude five thousand four hundred."

The air controller responded curtly, "We'll make a report. Transcon four two one, engage flight plan route."

"Cheryl, something's wrong." David never used the commander's first name until now. "I switched on the autopilot but we haven't adjusted our flight path."

"Disengage the autopilot and take manual control." Cheryl's response was more automatic than concerned.

David switched off the autopilot and took control of the plane. "The controls are unresponsive. The plane is still on the previous heading. We have leveled off rather than gaining altitude."

"I'll take the control." The captain then again switched off the autopilot and continued to make adjustments to the controls with no response. "HCF departure, Transcon four two one. We are reporting a flight emergency."

"Transcon four two one, go ahead," the traffic controller again gave an unemotional response.

"Autopilot will not disengage," Cheryl was now in control. "We are unable to take control of the aircraft."

"We'll clear the runway for your emergency return to Honolulu airport. Initiate emergency disengagement procedures."

"I've tried that, HCF departure, the plane is still not responding. The plane is turning back toward Honolulu, but we are not in control."

The Captain and copilot each flipped multiple switches on the control panel and those embedded in the steering column. Cheryl climbed under the instrument panel and pulled out the plug that connected the autopilot to the control panel. She looked up at David from under the dash and spoke now with a stern tone, "I tore the damn thing out of the panel but the aircraft is still not responding."

"Transcon four two one, we have cleared the airport runways for an emergency landing." Air traffic control said. "Emergency vehicles are moving into position. We notified Homeland Security and jets are scrambling."

The Captain and copilot were panicking now. The captain took the microphone to announce, "This is the captain. Brace for an emergency landing. Follow crew instructions for emergency landing procedures."

Passengers screamed and prayed in the cabin. Flight attendants barked their rehearsed orders, "Brace and cover. Brace and cover. Brace and cover."

"HCF departure, Transcon four two one, the plane is being controlled externally. I still see the small drone off our starboard wing. We are descending rapidly and cannot control the aircraft. We have informed the passengers to brace for an emergency landing."

The captain struggled with the controls, kicking the instrument panel and yanking hard on the steering column. Nothing, nothing is working. We're not heading for the airport but the military base nearby.

God have mercy.

"Transcon four two one, Transcon four two one."